Miguel Tejada
I know that every write has his, or her, own opinion about
different subjects. For example, I am of the high belief that Lance Berkman is
one of the most underrated players in the game.But yet there are many that
disagree with me, and that is fine. Each person is entitled to have a separate and
different opinion. Which is why I usually overlook articles that I disagree with,
but today when I was reading the Astros addition of “mailbag” I became
completely stunned. Not by the question that was asked, but by the answer which
was given.
Now before I give everyone the question and answer let me
state for the record that I highly respect the writings of Alyson Footer. 99%
of the time I at least partially agree with her. This, I guess, just happens to
be the 1% that I am in total disagreeance with her.
I am about to give you the question posed by what I am
to assume is an Astros fan, and then I will give you the answer Alyson Footer
gave. And then I will attempt to break down in detail why I believe she is so
way off base.
I totally agree with you on Jake Peavy being an
unrealistic trade. The few prospects we have, we need to hold onto to help the
Astros. The trade I’d love to see (if anyone would take him) is Miguel Tejada
for anything. He has the tendency to ground into double plays, and has
potential legal issues ahead. What are the Astros’ plans for him?
— Doug P., Athens, Ala.
You answered your own question, you
don’t need my help. Tejada’s power numbers decreased at an alarming pace as the
season progressed, as evidenced by the three home runs he hit in the second
half. His average was decent (.283) and he had a good September, hitting .295
with seven doubles and 11 RBIs, but he’s nowhere close to where he was a few
years ago, when he was a perennial MVP candidate. He has $13 million coming to
him in ’09, and he’ll be 35 in May. No one knows where he could be with his
legal issues next year. So, what are the Astros’ plans for him? What are their
choices?
He’ll be in a Houston uniform in ’09, he’ll play out his
contract, and he’ll probably move on after that. We’ll see. But dealing him is
not happening. Who would take him?
Now, I have to know what in the world both Doug P. and Alyson Footer are
thinking here. Miguel was a major improvement at shortstop over Adam Everette.
No, I am not in any stretch of the imagination saying that Miggy is a better
defensive shortstop than Adam. That is just simply not the case. Adam is hands
down the best defensive short stop in the game. There is not a better glove man
to be found. And before you email me and say that Derek Jeter let me just tell
you now. Get real.
Let me explain why Miggy is a huge upgrade over Adam. In 2007 the Astros
shortstop put up these monster numbers. A .232 BA 2 Homeruns 15 RBI 1 Triple 11
Doubles. In 2008 the Astros shortstop put up these so called dismal numbers. A
.283 BA 13 Homeruns 66 RBI 3 Triples 38 Doubles. In 2007 Adam was the
shortstop. Now before everyone runs to checkout how accurate my stats are take
note that Adam only played 66 games in 2007, but is 2006 stats mirror the stats
I just gave you. Plus Adam only played in 48 games this season.
Now let us take and put the stats aside. Let us see what other value Mr.
Tejada has for the Astros.
First no one can deny that the man is electrifying on the field. Just take a
look at how youthful the team looks. Jumping and giving high fives. Throwing “the
spotlight” at each other. It is a far cry from the casual forearm bump that
became standard operating procedure during the “Killer B” era.
How many times did you see Miguel go to the mound to talk with which ever
struggling pitcher was run out that night? You can not add that kind of
leadership into a contract. That has to be the player. The man on the field.
How in the world can anyone make a claim that Miggy is not that great of a
shortstop or have any value to this or any team? Is it because he is not
putting up the MVP type number anymore? Or is it because people are resentful
of the fact Miggy is caught in the steroid scandal? Or is it because Miggy
magically aged two years in one day? Whatever the reason may be, people really
should get over it.
Alyson Footer answer broken down:
You answered your own question, you
don’t need my help.
I am assuming this is in response to the
part of the question that asked who would want Tejada. Easy. Anyone that wants
to win and have a leader and great shortstop.
Tejada’s power numbers decreased at an alarming pace as the season
progressed, as evidenced by the three home runs he hit in the second half.
Yeah, I will give his power numbers dropped WAY off after
the All-Star break, but most of his offensive numbers were better than even
Berkman’s after the All-Star break. Maybe more of the problem is with the
hitting coach rather than the players.
His average was decent (.283) and he had a good September, hitting .295
with seven doubles and 11 RBIs, but he’s nowhere close to where he was a few
years ago, when he was a perennial MVP candidate
I will gladly take a .283 hitter in a position that has had
a BA of .249 in the previous 5 years.
He has $13 million
coming to him in ’09, and he’ll be 35 in May.
Am I the only one that has noticed how astronomical
contracts have gotten the past few years? If pitchers are starting to get $17
to $20 million a season to pitch every 5th day, then Miggy is well
worth the $13 million to play everyday.
No one knows where he
could be with his legal issues next year.
There seems to be no hurry to prosecute anyone for perjury.
Barry Bonds has been “under investigation” for several years before Miguel’s
testimony had been brought into question. The Astros could resign him for three
of four more years without worry.
So, what are the
Astros’ plans for him?
Hopefully to let him continue to be the team leader he
has been.
MLB Fever 
Derek Jeter is SO much better defensively than Adam Everett! He makes SportsCenter every night, popularized that amazing jump throw, and……….just kidding, Jeter sucks. Very good post, though. But to compare Everett to Tejada is like comparing cauliflower and expired chocolate. Nobody wants to take your expired chocolate, but everyone would still eat it over the cauliflower. Compared to value for your buck, Tejada is not THAT much better than Everett. Simply put, $13 million can get a *much* better player.
Aaron
http://districtboy.mlblogs.com/